A Realistic Guide to Safer S#x During COVID-19

Let’s be honest for a moment.

COVID-19 changed everything — how we work, how we socialize, how we touch, and yes… how we have sex. For a lot of people, the early advice around intimacy during the pandemic felt confusing, extreme, or just not realistic.

“Don’t date.”
“Don’t touch.”
“Don’t have sex.”

That might sound good on paper, but humans don’t work that way.

People still want connection. People still want intimacy. People still want sex. And that’s okay.

This guide isn’t about fear or shame. It’s about making smarter, safer choices — with real life in mind.

Let’s talk about how to navigate sex during COVID-19 in a way that’s practical, informed, and human.

First, Can You Get COVID-19 From Sex?

Short answer: Yes — but not exactly how you might think.

COVID-19 is not considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI). It doesn’t spread through semen or vaginal fluids the way HIV or chlamydia do.

However, it does spread very easily through:

Close physical contact
Kissing
Breathing close to someone
Heavy breathing during sex

So while sex itself isn’t the problem, being very close to another person absolutely is.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 spreads mainly through respiratory droplets when people are within close range of each other. Sex involves about as close as you can get.

Source:
CDC – COVID-19: How It Spreads
https://www.cdc.gov/covid/about/how-it-spreads.html

The Safest Sex Partner During COVID-19 (It’s Not What You Think)

Let’s clear this up with honesty.

The safest sex partner during COVID-19 is:

You.

Masturbation carries zero risk of COVID-19 transmission as long as:

You wash your hands before and after
You clean sex toys properly

This might not be the most exciting advice, but it’s the lowest-risk option — and public health experts agree.

Source:
New York City Department of Health – Safer Sex and COVID-19
https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/coronavirus-sex.page

What About Sex With a Partner?

This is where things get more nuanced.

Lower-Risk Scenarios

Sex is safer when:

You and your partner live together
You are both limiting contact with others
You openly talk about symptoms, exposure, and testing
Neither of you is feeling sick

Monogamous partners who share the same risk level are generally safer than people with multiple or unknown exposures.

Higher-Risk Scenarios

Sex becomes riskier when:

You have multiple partners
You’re meeting new people
You or your partner frequently interact with others (travel, crowded workplaces)
You don’t talk openly about health and exposure

This doesn’t mean “don’t do it.”
It means be aware and reduce risk where you can.

Talking About COVID-19 Before Sex (Yes, It’s Awkward)

It might feel weird at first, but asking about COVID-19 should be as normal as asking about STIs.

Before meeting up, consider asking:

“Have you had any symptoms recently?”
“Have you been around anyone who tested positive?”
“Are you vaccinated or recently tested?”
“Are you seeing a lot of other people right now?”

If someone gets defensive or refuses to talk about it, that’s important information.

Good communication = better sex and better health.

Practical Ways to Make Sex Safer During COVID-19

Let’s get practical — not preachy.

1. Limit the Number of Partners

Fewer partners = fewer chances for exposure.

This doesn’t mean you need to lock yourself away forever. It just means being mindful instead of impulsive.

2. Avoid Kissing If You Can

Kissing is one of the highest-risk activities for COVID-19 transmission.

If you’re with a new or casual partner, skipping kissing can significantly reduce risk — even if it feels strange at first.

3. Try Positions That Limit Face-to-Face Contact

It may not sound romantic, but reducing face-to-face breathing can help lower risk.

Public health experts have even recommended this as a harm-reduction approach.

Source:
British Columbia Centre for Disease Control – Sex, COVID-19 and You
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/covid-19/prevention-risks/safer-sex

4. Use Condoms and Dental Dams

While condoms don’t prevent COVID-19, they:

Reduce contact with bodily fluids
Lower risk of other STIs
Add a layer of hygiene and safety

COVID-19 didn’t make STIs disappear — so protecting yourself still matters.

5. Wash Up Before and After

Simple habits go a long way:

Wash hands with soap for at least 20 seconds
Shower before and after sex if possible
Clean sex toys thoroughly
Avoid touching your face

This is basic hygiene — but it works.

What If You’re Dating or Hooking Up?

Dating during COVID-19 doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing.

Some realistic tips:

Spend time talking online before meeting
Meet outdoors first
Avoid crowded indoor spaces
Consider testing before intimacy
Be honest about your comfort level

There’s no “perfect” way — only safer choices.

Mental Health, Loneliness, and Sexual Needs Matter Too

Here’s something public health messages don’t always say out loud:

Loneliness is also a health issue.

Extended isolation affects mental health, self-esteem, and emotional well-being. For many people, intimacy is part of staying emotionally balanced.

The goal isn’t perfection.
The goal is balance.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized that sexual health includes physical, emotional, and social well-being — not just the absence of disease.

Source:
WHO – Sexual Health Overview
https://www.who.int/health-topics/sexual-health